Vicap program

When murderers or rapists commit crimes in various locations or communities or even different countries, it is normally not easy to accurately identify and arrest them. This is because information on crimes is stocked separately in books of various security agencies. But in the last twenty five years the FBI’s VICAP has been utilized by law enforcers to identify and stop serial killers and other types of dangerous crimes. This program facilitates creating a connection between crimes that seemed unrelated. (CRJ3024 W4 reading).

VICAP deals with heinous crimes specifically those that have to do with murders, rape and cases of missing individuals .The data base of VICAP program is not available to the public and the media, its access is limited to the FBI and other high ranking security officials.

VICAP program’s main objective was to assist drawing the outline of a perpetrator by using collected information. This was inspired after the case of Ted Bundy, a serial killer who went on a wild killing activity. (CRJ3024 W4 reading).

It is a very difficult task, in a serial killer case to identify various victims and link them to one serial murderer. When Ted Bundy was in his prime and his series of murders had caught the attention of the public, the FBI came up with VICAP program to help them build his criminal profile and prevent such murders in the future. (CRJ3024 W4 reading).

The VICAP programs is an effective information system as it contains electronic entered data in the VICAP program website. The information is properly structured and detailed to ensure that no vital aspects are left out. One can use the specific details to relate it with any crime that has been carried out. The specific details enable one to connect the crime using type of ammunition used at the crime scene, automobile description or the method used to commit the crime. This allows investigators to establish any pattern or connection between crimes. Therefore VICAP can be used to arrest a killer who is serial in nature. (CRJ3024 W4 reading).

 

Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)

In an attempt to improve and assist to resolve multiple cold cases in various states in US, in the year 2003,president Bush came up with the a DNA initiative .DNA   science can be used to assist in the investigation of  murders. It gives direction to investigation and ensures absolute accuracy when there is any biological clues. DNA can also identify decomposed human corpses. It is good to note that DNA evidence cannot be found at the scene of every crime. (CRJ3024 W4 reading).

CODIS is used to generate analytical leads in crime cases where biological clues are found at the scene of the crime. It is an operating system that functions and serves different states .it participates in solving crimes using its database that contains information of the DNA outlines of various guilty perpetrators, not yet solved case clues and missing individuals .The system of CODIS facilitates law enforcers to conduct proper investigating in laboratories by comparing and contrasting DNA profiles using computers. (CRJ3024 W4 reading).

If an unsolved case contained biological evidence, the evidence can be entered into the CODIS system and there is a high possibility that it can match a particular profile in the CODIS systems. CODIS a very effective and efficient resource. It contains all the profiles. The profiles are usually keyed in in a timely manner. This has expanded the amount of data it contains. The data can then be harmonized with computer technology to solve crime cases. (CRJ3024 W4 reading).

During Ted Bundy’s case there were no VICAP nor CODIS programs. Investigators could only identify blood in terms of groups that is, AB or O un like currently where the DNA from a blood sample can be traced back to the individual. The effects of the murders committed by Ted Bundy put a lot of pressure on law enforcers to establish ways that could identify DNA therefore CODIS was formed. (CRJ3024 W4 reading).

Reasons why it is challenging for law enforcing agencies to work in unison when they are trying to catch a serial killer

This I because a serial murder investigation usually contains complex arguments. It is very difficult to coordinate a serial murder investigation by using more than two agencies due to different reasoning and ideologies. The findings and various perspectives of multiple agencies who have different experiences can shift and direct opinion to a direction that does not point towards solving the case but rather divert it. Local enforcers can use the data base of the FBI to assist in carrying out the investigation. The FBI can be involved but they must remain the third party and should not assume the man role. A sheriff  is more acquainted with the case than any other enforcer and he might feel more obligated to continue with the case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

CRJ3024 W4 reading